Cutting a new bike chain to the correct length for installation and removing a damaged link for an on-trail chain repair are essentially the same job. Make life easier: Use a full-size tool at home and save the compact tool for mid-ride fixes. Here's how to fix your chain no matter where you are.

Fix your chain at home: You'll need a quality chain tool such as the Pedro's Pro 2.0. Line up the tool's pin with a pin on the chain. (If it's a Shimano chain, do not remove or replace the Hyperglide pin; use a new Hyperglide pin and in a new location on the chain.) Tighten the tool until its pin puts light pressure on the chain's connecting pin. Crank the handle, making sure the tool's pin stays straight. If it twists, stop and realign everything so as not to bend the tool's pin. If you bend it, most tools have replaceable pins available; some even come with one inside the handle. Then push the pin far enough through so you can remove the extra links.

Fix your chain on the trail: If your chain breaks mid-ride, use your multitool's chain breaker to remove the damaged link. For SRAM chains, reconnect using the reusable Powerlink; for a Shimano chain, you'll need a new Hyperglide pin. If you don't carry an extra one, you can use an existing pin to reconnect the chain. Just don't drive it out completely (the mushroomed end of the pin gets rounded off upon removal); leave it in one side plate. The connection will be weak and the chain will be shorter, so pedal home gingerly and replace the damaged chain before your next ride.